Communicating with Emotional Patients: Thoughts, Skills, and Influencing Factors for Ontario Radiation Therapists

Hulley, L.; Cashell, Angela; Feuz, Carina; Jessop, Anne; Sperduti, Annette; Moyo, Elen; Rosewall, Tara

doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2016.04.011

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…These logistical considerations, such as asking the patient to arrive a few minutes early or having a free space available, need to be addressed in the design of a CST package in order for it be successfully implemented in the setting of radiotherapy treatment. This issue is particularly important since there is evidence that time is one of the main factors that influences skill levels of radiation therapists to manage emotional interactions with patients 40…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication skills training for the radiotherapy team to manage cancer patients’ emotional concerns: a systematic review

et al. 2019

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ObjectivesMany cancer patients experience high levels of anxiety and concern during radiotherapy, often with long-lasting effects on their well-being. This systematic review aims to describe and determine the effectiveness of communication skills training (CST) for the radiotherapy team (RT) to improve conversations in this setting and to support patients with emotional concerns.DesignSystematic review.InterventionsCST for RT members.Data sourcesOn 17 April 2018, databases Medline, Embase, Scopus and PsycNET were searched.Eligibility criteria, Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome(PICO)Quantitative and/or qualitative articles were included that evaluate the effect of a CST for RT members (vs no CST) on communication behaviours and patients’ emotional concerns.Data extraction and synthesisArticles were appraised using the mixed-methods appraisal tool, and a narrative synthesis was performed.ResultsOf the nine included articles, five were randomised controlled trials, three were mixed-methods and one used repeated measurements. Four of the five different CST programmes managed to increase emotional communicative behaviour from the RT, and all studies measuring patient communicative behaviour found an improvement in at least one of the hypothesised outcomes. Two studies examining patient anxiety and concerns found a positive effect of the CST, although one found a negative effect; two other studies without a positive effect on mood made use of both empathic CST and tools.ConclusionsThere are promising indications that CST can be successfully introduced to improve emotional conversations between RT members and patients. With the right support, the RT can play an important role to help patients cope with their emotional concerns. Future work is necessary to confirm initial promising results and to ensure the learnt communication skills are sustained.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication skills training for the radiotherapy team to manage cancer patients’ emotional concerns: a systematic review

et al. 2019

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“…A study conducted amongst RTs in Ontario, Canada [11], examined RTs' abilities to communicate with patients during emotional interactions, specifically anxiety. It was found that RTs are effective at communicating with emotional patients; however this ability is significantly affected by personal and organizational factors, notably experience and time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and Addressing the Informational Needs of Radiation Therapists Concerning the Management of Anxiety and Depression in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy Treatment

Lavergne

Taylor

Gillies³

et al. 2015

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

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Background: Cancer Care Ontario has mandated that all health care professionals working within oncology centres in Ontario should routinely screen and address symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients. This study aims to assess the informational needs of Radiation Therapists (RTs) concerning the discussion and management of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients receiving radiation therapy treatment. It will also attempt to determine whether RTs believe that reviewing patients' self-reported symptoms should be included as part of their routine patient assessment. Methodology:A questionnaire was initially piloted at the host institution to six randomly chosen RTs and then sent via email to all Radiation Therapists practicing in Ontario, Canada (n= 921). The online questionnaire consisted of multiple choice questions and was divided into four themes: 1) RT comfort levels surrounding the topics of anxiety and depression, 2) management of anxiety and depression in cancer patients, 3) further education needed/requested in anxiety and depression symptom management and 4) the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Data analyses included the calculation of means and two sample two-sided t-tests to examine the relationships between various demographics and responses.Results: RTs feel more comfortable in the discussion of issues surrounding anxiety when compared to depression. The most common positive factor affecting RTs' comfort levels addressing emotional distress is previous experience with patients who have expressed these symptoms; whereas the most common adverse factor affecting comfort levels is the lack of education regarding emotional distress. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of RTs would

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“…MRTs play a key role in the supportive care of cancer patients providing education, information, and emotional support as well as providing referrals to other appropriate health care professionals based on assessment and needs. Evidence within the MRT research community supports this supportive care aspect of MRT practice [8][9][10][11][12]. This project took place at a large academic oncology program located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, providing XRT to approximately 400 patients daily.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pilot Project to Investigate Radiation Therapist Referrals to an Ad Hoc Supportive Care Oncology Clinic

Turner

Nathoo

2019

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

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Purpose/Aim: Approximately 400 patients are treated daily within the radiation therapy (XRT) department at the cancer centre where this project took place. As part of their clinical interactions during the treatment delivery process, radiation therapists (MRTs) may refer patients to a third party ''RN Assessment Office'' for non technical issues. These referrals can result in extended wait times for patients as well as disruptions to the scheduling of MRTs and other health care professionals. This review aimed to identify issues that resulted in third party referrals by MRTs. Data collected may enable insight into the issues that prompt third party referrals and help support MRTs in managing patient issues that are within their scope of practice.Method/Process: A database of XRT patient referrals to the location ''RN Assessment Office'' in the electronic records (EMRs) was generated for this review. A 4-week period within the previous year was considered suitable by the investigators to produce a representative sample of referrals. Predetermined referral categories were compiled based on the experiences of the investigators. Data were extracted from two sources: (1) the progress note tab within each patient EMR and (2) the comments section of the registered nurses (RNs) Assessment workload location in the EMR systems.Journal de l'imagerie médicale et des sciences de la radiation www.elsevier.com/locate/jmir TRM au cours du processus de radioth erapie. Des recommandations li ees aux evaluations syst ematiques et au processus de documentation pourraient favoriser la documentation par les TRM.De plus, la simplification du processus de r eacheminement pourrait am eliorer le rendement et permettre aux TRM d'exercer pleinement leur profession.

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Communicating with Emotional Patients: Thoughts, Skills, and Influencing Factors for Ontario Radiation Therapists

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

Communication skills training for the radiotherapy team to manage cancer patients’ emotional concerns: a systematic review

Communication skills training for the radiotherapy team to manage cancer patients’ emotional concerns: a systematic review

Understanding and Addressing the Informational Needs of Radiation Therapists Concerning the Management of Anxiety and Depression in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy Treatment

A Pilot Project to Investigate Radiation Therapist Referrals to an Ad Hoc Supportive Care Oncology Clinic

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